Mussolini became the 40tPrime Meenister o Italy in 1922 an began uisin the title Il Duce bi 1925. Efter 1936, his offeecial title wis "His Excellency Benito Mussolini, Heid o Government, Duce o Fascism, an Foonder o the Empire".[1] Mussolini an aa creatit an held the supreme military rank o First Marshal o the Empire alang wi Keeng Victor Emmanuel III o Italy, which gave him an the Keeng joint supreme control ower the military o Italy. Mussolini remained in pouer till he wis replaced in 1943; for a short period efter this till his daith, he wis the leader o the Italian Social Republic.

On 10 Juin 1940, Mussolini led Italy intae World War II on the side o the Axis despite initially sidin wi Fraunce against Germany in the early 1930s. Believin the war woud be short-lived, he declared war on Fraunce an Great Breetain in order tae gain territories in the peace treaty that woud soon follae.[4]